Maria of Alania

Maria (Martha) of Alania (1042-1118) was the basilissa of the Byzantine Empire from 1071 to 1081 with Michael VII of Byzantium and his successor Nikephoros III of Byzantium.

Biography
Martha was from the House of Bagrationi, and was the daughter of King Bagrat IV of Georgia. Maria was a Georgian Orthodox Christian. She was wedded to Emperor Michael VII of Byzantium in 1065 at the age of 23 while he was only 15. She was married with Michael until he was overthrown in 1078, and she retired to a monastery. However, she did not become a nun, as she had future plans for the imperial court. She married his successor, Nikephoros III of Byzantium, who had overthrown her husband. This husband was also overthrown in 1081, and she died in a monastery in 1118 at the age of 76.